insideKENT Magazine Issue 52 - July 2016 | Page 141

Evolution, and some fine engineering design, has turned the Peugeots of old into sleek, sporty machines, pleasing to the eye and extremely enjoyable to drive, and there is even a noticeable difference between this new 2008 and its predecessor, in particular roof bars and spoiler; a longer, sleeker sloping front and vertical front grille, giving a faster look and more road visibility. The appearance of the 2008 SUV affords speed, comfort and driving pleasure, the moment you clap eyes on its sculpted curves, and the reassuringly chunky alloys on which it squarely sits. The interior of the Peugeot continues to look stylish and sporty, but never over the top. It has ample space for drivers, passengers, and all their stuff in the boot, and it is fair to say it is an extremely comfortable car to sit in and drive. I also really liked the blue lighting around the console dials, which made it feel sporty and hi-tech. And there is plenty of tech as well, such as parking sensors, and the Active City Brake (which stops you in a potential emergency at under 20mph). 141 One of the most exciting features in my opinion, is the inclusion of Apple Carplay – allowing you to connect your iPhone/iPad and control it from the car’s LCD using a suitably Apple-ish brightly coloured touchscreen menu. And also, Siri will be ever-present in your car, to give directions, manage your messages and calls, and play the Cookie Monster advert… The 2008 runs rings round the older SUVs of previous years, in terms of efficiency and emissions. Whilst a car of this ilk would have cost you the earth, perceivably done terrible things to the planet, and had tree hugging types howling at your garage door a few years ago, the 2008 is extremely eco- and wallet-friendly for a car of its stature. The range of engines on offer, which includes five petrol and three diesel options, yield emissions of just 96-114g/km whilst offering 82130hp – they are extremely efficient and indeed, Peugeot has been awarded best in class on several of these, including the new 1.2L PureTech 110 S&S BVM6 engine, which the car I drove boasted.